Residents and commuters in Washington D.C. should prepare to whip out their umbrellas intermittently over the next few days as the weather takes a fickle turn. A brief smattering of showers today will potentially dampen the otherwise sunny skies, with a 30% chance of precipitation between 2pm and 5pm, and more showers possibly thundering down after 5pm, according to the National Weather Service. With highs said to be soaring near a warm 83 degrees and winds breezing in from the northwest at 6 to 10 mph, it's certainly not a day to leave weather-wary wardrobes at home.

The coming evenings aren't looking too dry either, with meteorologists forecasting a 30% chance for more of those showers and thunderstorms to try to show up before 8pm tonight. After the potential early evening splash, skies are predicted to clear up as temperatures cool down to a pleasant 55 degrees. The winds will calm down and take a northerly direction at around 6 mph, just enough to gently nudge any residual clouds out of the capital's night sky, as stated on the National Weather Service's website.

Tomorrow's outlook seems to be swinging back to more agreeable conditions with abundant sunshine and a high near 76. A southward wind is expected to lazily pick up in the afternoon at an unobtrusive 6 mph. However, forecasters are keeping an eye out, as there's yet again a 30% chance of night rain, starting after 2am, with the likelihood of the weather getting slightly petulant as we proceed into Wednesday. Those showers – mainly after 2pm – will remind us it's spring, carrying a 40% chance of rain and ushering in cooler air from the southeast.

As for Hump Day evening, if you're looking to enjoy some alfresco dining or a night out in the city, pack a poncho. The National Weather Service is upping the ante with a 70% chance that showers and thunderstorms will try to make their grand appearance before 8pm, then expect a medley of rain and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, followed by, you guessed it, a chance of rain and thunderstorms after 2am. The low for the night is expected to hover around a slightly muggy 58 degrees.

Looking later into the week, Thursday won't escape the drizzle drama; a 40% chance of rain is forecasted. But fear not, we're not quite living in a rain cloud – the sun plans to poke through the partly sunny skies, with temperatures maintaining a mild high near 74. Patches of rain are on the agenda for Friday afternoon, and by the weekend, the weather pattern is keen to hold steady: partially sunny and intermittently rainy, with highs in the mid-70s. For those planning your Sunday brunch outfits, anticipate cooler air and highs around a crisper 60 degrees.